Strategic cooperation between UNEC and Chinese universities: Key agreements reached in Beijing
As part of the official visit of the delegation led by professor Adalat Muradov, rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), to the People’s Republic of China, a series of meetings were held with prominent universities and research institutions in Beijing. Important agreements on mutual cooperation were reached, and several documents were signed.
During the visit to Beijing, the UNEC delegation first visited the China Association for the Promotion of Development Finance (CAPDF). At the meeting led by Vice President and Secretary General Ms. Guo Mingshe, rector Adalat Muradov noted that UNEC operates a Department of Development Economics and that its finance program has received international accreditations such as ACCA, CFA, and FIBAA. He proposed the establishment of a joint research center and a Development Finance Laboratory between UNEC and CAPDF. An agreement was also reached to translate the book “Harmonizing the State and Market: The Chinese Approach”, authored by CAPDF President and former head of the China Development Bank, Mr. Chen Yuan, into Azerbaijani. Ms. Guo Mingshe emphasized that UNEC is the first foreign university to cooperate with CAPDF.
Next, the UNEC delegation visited the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE), one of China’s leading institutions in economics and finance, where they met with University President Ma Haitao. The parties agreed on dual degree programs, joint EMBA and digital economy programs, collaborative research in digital and green economy, a Think Tank under the “Belt and Road” initiative, and joint international book translations. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between UNEC and CUFE.
On the following day, the delegation visited the Beijing Foreign Studies University, where 101 foreign languages are taught, including Azerbaijani. In the meeting with University President Jia Wenjian, topics discussed included the sharing of English language teaching methodologies, training economics instructors in English using BFSU’s methodology, the establishment of an MBA dual degree program, and teacher-student exchange opportunities. UNEC representatives also met with Chinese students studying Azerbaijani at the university.
Rector professor Adalat Muradov also met with Professor Wang Yiwei, a prominent scholar at Renmin University of China. The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish an international academic journal titled “Belt and Road” at UNEC, under the scientific editorship of Professor Yiwei.
At the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), a meeting with President Zhao Zhongxiu resulted in agreements to establish a joint Institute of Trade and Economics, a Digital Economy Laboratory, and a Center for Research on Azerbaijan-China Economic Relations at UNEC. They also decided to establish a WTO Institute at UNEC modeled after the one at UIBE.
The final meeting of the visit took place at Tsinghua University, ranked the leading university in China by the THE ranking. In the meeting with Vice President professor Yang Bin, agreements were reached to launch a dual MBA program, a joint EMBA, short-term modular programs, and organize forums on business, engineering, and strategic innovations. The parties also agreed to establish joint research centers.
The UNEC delegation also visited the world-renowned Schwarzman College, operating under the auspices of Tsinghua University.